U.S. Publishes Guide to Help Employers, Labor to Curb Drugs

The National Institute on Drug Abuse released a new guide Wednesday to help management and labor tackle the problem of drug abuse in the workplace.

The 25-page booklet reflects the consensus of recommendations that business, labor and government experts reached at a meeting sponsored by the government institute in March.

It says drug policies on the job “should be based on the rationale that use of drugs, including alcohol, by employees in the workplace is unacceptable since it can adversely affect health and safety, security and productivity, as well as public confidence and trust.”

The guide avoids a blanket endorsement of urine tests for all workers but says such screening “can be an effective tool in the early identification of employees with drug problems.” It adds that such tests should be part of a wider, more comprehensive program.